Slain Dorchester Gas Station Attendant Was 'Great Father,' Friends Say

BOSTON (CBS) – Friends and family are mourning the loss of a Dorchester gas station attendant who was murdered on the job over the weekend.

A makeshift memorial has been set up outside the Fabian gas station for 67-year-old Jose Luis Phinn Williams.  He was shot and killed during an attempted robbery late Saturday night. He would have turned 68 Monday.  He leaves behind two sons, ages 27 and 18.

"He was a great person, great father, very kind, very loving with his kids, all of the family," Margot Vazquez, the mother of Williams' children told WBZ-TV. "Right now my kids don't have no longer a father, so they took his life away it's a pain that I don't wish to nobody."

Vasquez said Williams was robbed at the gas station last year but he came back to work.

"He's gone and he will never be back," Williams' sister, Rosa Phinn, said while crying.

A candlelight vigil was held Monday night. A handwritten sign surrounded by religious candles in the memorial paid tribute to Williams. "In the name of the community, we thank you for your services and friendship. We will miss you," it read.

Gunfire rang out at the Washington Street gas station around 11:35 p.m. Saturday. Detectives began canvassing the neighborhood. Minutes later, a man matching the suspect's description was stopped and arrested. Kevin Williams, 21, is now charged with murder. He is expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Dorchester District Court.

Phinn wants justice for her slain brother.

"I just hope that the person that did this, you know, they just take care of him and do what they have to do to him. It's too much happening in the community. Every single day we have people dying, people shot," she said.

Other residents, meanwhile, were angry about the senseless violence and murder.

"This is wrong. I live in this community," said Keith George of Dorchester. "This is totally wrong and it's hurtful, man. You know, look at this. We don't need this, man. He's not out here doing anything wrong. All he's trying to do is earn a living, man. You kill him? Like that? What are we coming to, man?"

"This is hurtful, man!" George said, sobbing.

"He was a good guy, man, give you the last dollar in his pocket. He was a good guy, never hurt nobody, never bothered nobody," said Eddie Elliott, a friend of Williams.

UPDATE 11/16/18: Prosecutors withdrew murder charges again Kevin Williams, citing insufficient evidence "to establish guilt or innocence."